By kyohnson 
FONDA, NY – In a matter of just two weeks, the record-breaking King Of Dirt Racing Series will commence their season at the
Utica Rome Speedway in Vernon, NY, kicking off a historical partnership with DIRTcar racing. This alliance will see the
KOD/DIRTcar East Sportsman join forces with the KOD Pro Stocks to embark on an ambitious 2017 season.
It has become a well-established tradition that track owners/promoters Bill and Kim Shea host the King Of Dirt Racing for the
season opener. Anticipation is at an all-time high as the series gets set to launch with this newly formed alliance with
DIRTcar Racing. KOD will serve as the DIRTcar East Region tour, offering drivers from the tour a chance to claim the DIRTcar
Sportsman title, while also providing opportunities for those from other regions to earn bonus points.
Last year, when the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? King Of Dirt Racing Sportsman Series presented by Dean’s Electrical Service and
Dodson Construction rolled into the action-packed track of Utica Rome Speedway, a record was broken. Previously, the
highest car count in Sportsman action at the track was 52, until 56 drivers showed up to attempt qualifying for the KOD
Spring Fling.
During the record-setting night, the heat races were won by Cody Clark, Brad Alger, Dave Marcuccilli, Glenn Forward, and
Rocky Warner. The heat race lineups were determined by the draw, but in 2017, KOD has transitioned to timed hot laps to set
the heat race lineups.
In the feature event, Rocky Warner emerged victorious, claiming his 4th career KOD Sportsman win, followed by Dave
Marcuccilli, Connor Cleveland, Chris Mackey, and Dave Moyer. It was the beginning of a championship season for Connor
Cleveland, as he went on to secure the King Of Dirt Racing Sportsman crown.
In the Lazzaro’s Auto Body King Of Dirt Racing Pro Stock Series presented by Stone Motorsports, 36 drivers
attempted to qualify, and thanks to the generosity of track promoter Bill Shea, all were able to start the feature event.
The heat races were won by Robbie Speed, Mike Welch, and Jay Casey.
The full-fender feature was a thrilling spectacle, with Luke Horning claiming the win, followed by Pete Stefanski, Mike
Welch, Nick Stone, and Rob Yetman rounding out the top five.
Between the two divisions of KOD Racing, a total of 92 competitors vied for the championship, and this year promises to be
just as exciting for fans, drivers, and crew members alike.
“When I talked to Kim and Bill, they were determined to open the season at Utica, and that has now become a tradition
that we all look forward to,” said KOD promoter Rob Hazer.
The Sportsman division will compete for a $1,000 top prize and $100 to start, while the Pro Stock division will battle it
out for a $850 winner’s purse and $50 to start. The King Of Dirt Racing rules will apply to both divisions, with the
Sportsman based on DIRTcar rules and the Pro Stocks being Crate Motors Only. The entry fee for all KOD event drivers is
$20.
Admission prices for the evening are $16 for adults, $13 for senior, military, or students, and kids under 16 are free. Pit
admission is $27 with a license and $30 without. For more information, visit www.uticaromespeedway.com.
Now that the schedule is set and the rules are up on the website, it’s only a matter of time before a highly
anticipated and busy season of racing gets underway for King Of Dirt Racing.
2017 KING OF DIRT RACING SMALL BLOCK MODIFIED SCHEDULE
06/13/17 Devil’s Bowl Speedway West Haven, VT 40 Laps
07/09/17 Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY 40 Laps
07/30/17 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon, NY 35 Laps
08/20/17 Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY 40 Laps
09/08/17 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta, NY 40 Laps
09/09/17 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon, NY 35 Laps
09/15/17 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta, NY 40 Laps
09/23/17 Fonda Speedway Fonda, NY 40 Laps
2017 KING OF DIRT RACING SPORTSMAN SCHEDULE (DIRTcar East Region)
05/14/17 Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY 30 Laps
05/28/17 Devil’s Bowl Speedway West Haven, VT 35 Laps
07/15/17 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon, NY 30 Laps
08/15/17 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta, NY 30 Laps
08/20/17 Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY 30 Laps
08/31/17 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon, NY 30 Laps
09/08/17 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta, NY 100 Laps
09/22/17 Fonda Speedway Fonda, NY 30 Laps
2017 KING OF DIRT RACING PRO STOCK SCHEDULE
05/14/17 Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY 30 Laps
06/02/17 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta, NY 30 Laps
07/07/17 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta, NY 30 Laps
08/20/17 Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY 30 Laps
08/26/17 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon, NY 30 Laps
09/17/17 Devil’s Bowl Speedway West Haven, VT 29 Laps
For more information on the King Of Dirt Racing Series, visit on the web at www.kingofdirtracing.com.
You can also find King Of Dirt via Twitter @kodracingseries or @kodracing.
Look for KOD also on Instagram @kingofdirtracing or on Facebook www.facebook.com/kingofdirtracing.
Follow King Of Dirt Racing Series happenings via Instagram @kingofdirtracing.
For more information on DIRTcar Racing, visit www.dirtcar.com.
KING OF DIRT RACING is brought to you in part by sponsors and partners that include: Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Devil’s
Bowl Speedway, Fonda Speedway, Lebanon Valley Speedway, Utica Rome Speedway, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, A-1 Installers, Andy’s Speed
Shop, Beyea Custom Headers & Exhaust, Bicknell Racing Products, Bill McGaffin Photography, Bruno’s Towing & Recovery,
Buff’s Auto Service, Burt’s Tree Service, Central NY Motorsports, Dean’s Electrical Service, DE Signs & Designs, Dirt
Track Digest, DKM Fabrication, DMC Racing Products, Dodson Construction, Electric City Taxi, Elmo’s Auto Body, Elmo’s
Speed Supply, Extreme Speed & Performance, Fast Axle, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Fox Racing
Shocks, HICO Fabrication, Herrington Farms Inc., Hoosier Racing Tire, J-Tees Screen Printing, Lazzaro’s Auto Body, Macedon
Parts Plus, Mayhem Motorsports, Moore 2 Music Entertainment, Mueller & Sons Towing/Recovery, NAPA Auto Parts Of
Gloversville/Johnstown, Next Generation Roofing, PFC Brakes, R3 Graphics, Race Pro Weekly, Racers Guide, Redline Graphics,
Saratoga Masonry, Simplicity Designs, Speed’s Garage, Stone Motorsports.